Metallica Play Black Album Live . . . In Reverse

5/10/2012 2:15 PM ET

Metallica fans in Prague not only got to see the band play their classic 1991 release, The Black Album, they got to see it played in reverse.

The band announced before the start of their current European tour that they would play The Black Album in its entirety to mark its 20th anniversary. The reverse performance of the album's songs, however, was a surprise twist.

A statement posted on the band's website, reads, "What a great show here in Prague to start off the 20th Anniversary of The Black Album! The band surprised everyone, and played it backwards! During and after 'Sandman,' it was pyro, pyro, pyro, and pyro!!! 'Sandman' had fireworks, 'Fuel' had the big flames . . ."

No reason was given on why the band decided to play the album in reverse. One theory is that it allowed them to save the album's biggest hit and opening track, "Enter Sandman," for the finale of the show.